Brechtfestival Augsburg

Brecht in his Birthplace

Augsburg, Bavaria's third-largest city on the Lech river, is the birthplace of Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956). The later playwright, lyricist, and theatre revolutionary spent his childhood in the Brecht House at Auf dem Rain 7 before emigrating to Berlin and later to Hollywood and East Berlin. The Brechtfestival – held annually since 2010 – takes up this legacy in a contemporary form: it showcases new productions of Brecht's plays and those by contemporary authors who engage with his work, complemented by concerts, readings, performances, and discussion panels.

Motto 2026: »ALLE«

The 2026 edition fundamentally changes the festival. For the first time, Sahar Rahimi and Mark Schröppel take over as the directorial duo (the directorship changes every three years). The motto is: »ALLE« (Everyone). It asks: How can an aesthetically contemporary, socially relevant festival be built that consistently focuses on participation, openness, and diversity? Inclusion, democracy, and self-determination are the guiding themes.

Karo 10 – the New Festival Centre

Spatially and socially, the 2026 festival will be concentrated at Karo 10, the former Modehaus Rübsamen on Karolinenstraße. Artist TinTin Patrone has converted the vacant building into an accessible venue. An inclusive festival café is located on the ground floor, art exhibitions and parties take place in the basement, and workshops for children and adolescents are set up on the first floor. Karo 10 is a meeting point, stage, discourse space, café – a temporary civic centre in the heart of Augsburg's city centre.

Theatre Highlights at the Staatstheater

The Staatstheater Augsburg is the second major venue, featuring three central productions: a new Threepenny Opera directed by Sapir Heller – Brecht's most famous play in a contemporary interpretation; Heiner Müller's Hamletmachine directed by Lilli-Hannah Hoepner, complemented by a female perspective; and Wolf, a new work by Sahar Rahimi – a "dark, bloody, and poetic love story".

Brecht Night and Young Audience

A not-to-be-missed highlight is the Brecht Night in the Textilviertel: four stages, ten concerts, an entire night of music and performance that transforms the old industrial quarter into a vibrant festival space. Planned for a young audience is the democracy concert »Alle haben Rechte! Oder?« (Everyone has rights! Or?), where the Let's Go Grundgesetz-Band of St. Stephan Gymnasium meets the Young Rappers of Augsburg – a musical plea for fundamental rights and diversity, complemented by visuals from artist Manuel Branz.